Bruce's History Lessons: Texas battle produced a soldier of misfortune

The Mexicans could only shell the fort with their ancient 12-pound cannon, which one soldier noted, “Could not land one shot in a thousand on their targets.” But, one unlucky soldier actually was hit by one of the Mexican’s usually errant 12-pound cannonballs. And not just once.

In 1846, during the Mexican-American War that would end in glorious victory for the young United States and gain for her undisputed control of Texas, and, eventually, lead to seven new states (Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California), the American army in Mexico had a problem. While the main army, under Gen. Zachary “Ol’ Rough ’n Ready” Taylor, was stationed at Fort Texas near the Rio Grande, a strong Mexican force was attacking Point Isabel, a port city on the Gulf of Mexico that served as Taylor’s main supply base.

Concerned that the Mexicans might cut off his supply lines, and confident that Fort Texas could withstand an attack by any nearby Mexican army, Taylor marched to Point Isabel to relieve the besieged port city. He left behind in Fort Texas a small force under the command of Maj. Jacob Brown, but he ensured that the fort was well armed and provisioned.

Taylor’s precautions were wise, for soon after he and his troops departed for Point Isabel, a Mexican army attacked Fort Texas. Alas, for the Mexicans they could only shell the fort with their ancient 12-pound cannon, which one soldier noted, “Could not land one shot in a thousand on their targets.”

Which made the untimely demise of one of Brown’s men, Sgt. Weigert, all the more tragic.

On May 5, 1846, Sgt. Weigert became the only American killed in the first attempt by the Mexicans to storm the fort. This unlucky soldier actually was hit by one of the Mexican’s usually errant 12-pound cannonballs.

This hit, however, merely wounded him, so he was rushed to the fort’s field hospital for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, halfway through the procedure, he suffered a direct hit by another of the Mexicans’ 12-pound cannonballs, which killed him.

The next day he was buried, but the burial ceremony was barely over when a third of the Mexicans’ 12-pound cannonballs hit his gravesite, sending his now dismembered body flying through the air, where it landed in several places.

In effect, Sgt. Weigert was struck not once, not twice, but three times by lightning, and given this astonishing run of ill fortune, it was later suggested that some memorial to him should be established. Sorry to say, Lady Luck turned on him again. As it happened, Maj. Brown also was killed in a second attack by the Mexicans, and given his higher rank and status as commanding officer, the town that was later founded there was named in his honor and not Sgt. Weigert’s. Today, Brownsville, Texas, has (sort of) made Jacob Brown immortal.

Which is just as well. Given his karma, who the heck would want to live in Weigert, Texas?